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Objective: To ascertain which of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) 2010, Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) best predicted BMI and waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR). Design: Body size was measured at baseline (1990–1994) and in 2003–2007. Diet was assessed at baseline using a FFQ, along with age, sex, socio-economic status, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity and country of birth. Regression coefficients and 95 % CI for the association of baseline dietary scores with follow-up BMI and WHR were generated using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for baseline body size, confounders and energy intake. Setting: Population-based cohort in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Included were data from 11 030 men and 16 774 women aged 40–69 years at baseline. Results: Median (IQR) follow-up was 11·6 (10·7–12·8) years. BMI and WHR at follow-up were associated with baseline DII® (Q5 v. Q1 (BMI 0·41, 95 % CI 0·21, 0·61) and WHR 0·009, 95 % CI 0·006, 0·013)) and AHEI (Q5 v. Q1 (BMI −0·51, 95 % CI −0·68, −0·35) and WHR −0·011, 95 % CI −0·013, −0·008)). WHR, but not BMI, at follow-up was associated with baseline MDS (Group 3 most Mediterranean v. G1 (BMI −0·05, 95 % CI −0·23, 0·13) and WHR −0·004, 95 % CI −0·007, −0·001)). Based on Akaike's Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion statistics, AHEI was a stronger predictor of body size than the other diet scores. Conclusions: Poor quality or pro-inflammatory diets predicted overall and central obesity. The AHEI may provide the best way to assess the obesogenic potential of diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe health-related effects of the Nordic diet remain mostly unidentified. We created a Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) for epidemiological research to indicate adherence to a healthy Nordic diet. We examined associations between the score and nutrient intakes that are considered important in promoting public health. We also examined the performance of the BSDS under two different cut-off strategies.DesignThe cross-sectional study included two phases of the National FINRISK 2007 Study. Diet was assessed using a validated FFQ. Food and nutrient intakes were calculated using in-house software. Nine components were selected for the score. Each component was scored according to both sex-specific consumption quartiles (BSDS-Q) and medians (BSDS-M), and summed to give the final score values.SettingA large representative sample of the Finnish population.SubjectsMen (n 2217) and women (n 2493) aged 25 to 74 years.ResultsIn the age- and energy-adjusted model, adherence to the diet was associated with a higher intake of carbohydrates (E%), and lower intakes of SFA (E%) and alcohol (E%, where E% is percentage of total energy intake; P < 0·01). Furthermore, the intakes of fibre, Fe, vitamins A, C and D, and folate were higher among participants who adhered to the diet (P < 0·05). After further adjustments, the results remained significant (P < 0·05) and did not differ remarkably between BSDS-Q and BSDS-M.ConclusionsThe BSDS can be used as a measure of a healthy Nordic diet to assess diet–health relationships in public health surveys in Nordic countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]